Any questions you have about PTA programs are answered here and include resources to help you plan your schooling and connect with accredited PT assistant schools near you.
Page Updated: January 14th, 2021
PTA Schools Nearby
We built this tool for people searching for ‘physical therapy assistant schools near me’. With it you can research and compare every CAPTE Accredited PTA Program nearby, regardless of where in the country you are located. Enter your zip code below to see a list of PTA schools available near you along with more details such as program director contacts.
Currently there are 378 CAPTE Accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in the U.S. to choose from. With so many options, a prospective PTA student may struggle finding the best match for their needs. Although the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) does not rank PTA programs, quality of education is assured by CAPTE accreditation of the available physical therapy assistant programs.
It is currently required in all states, except for Colorado and Hawaii, to graduate from an accredited PTA program in order to sit for the physical therapist assistant licensure exam called the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
20 Best PTA Programs in the U.S.
Many people planning for their education want to know which are the top PTA schools. So, we created this list of the best 20 PTA programs with links to student reviews for each school.
| School Name | Address | Phone | Website | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific University | 2043 College Way Forest Grove, OR | (503) 352-6151 | pacificu.edu | 4.1 |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA | (206) 543-2100 | washington.edu | 4.5 |
| University of Puget Sound | 1500 N Warner St, Tacoma, WA | (253) 879-3100 | pudgetsound.edu | 4 |
| Texas Woman's University | 304 Administration Dr, Denton, TX | (940) 898-2000 | twu.edu | 4 |
| California State University, Long Beach | 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA | (562) 985-4111 | csulb.edu | 4.4 |
| New York Institute of Technology | 1855 Broadway, New York, NY | (212) 261-1500 | nyit.edu | 4.2 |
| University of Maryland | 8082 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD | (301) 405-1000 | pt.umaryland.edu | 4.5 |
| University of Texas Medical Branch | 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX | (409) 772-1011 | utmb.edu | 4.4 |
| University of Indianapolis | 1400 E Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN | (317) 788-3368 | pt.uindy.edu | 4.3 |
| Nova Southeastern University | 3301 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL | (954) 262-5551 | nova.edu | 4.5 |
| A.T. Still University | 5850 E Still Cir, Mesa, AZ | (480) 219-6000 | atsu.edu | 4.2 |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 2035 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL | (312) 996-6620 | uic.edu | 4.3 |
| University of Colorado Denver | 250 14th St, Denver, CO | (303) 556-2400 | ucdenver.edu | 4.3 |
| The George Washington University | 2121 I St NW, Washington, DC | (202) 994-1000 | smhs.gwu.edu | 4 |
| Old Dominion University | 5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA | (757) 683-3000 | odu.edu | 4 |
| Hampton University | 100 E Queen St, Hampton, VA | (757) 727-5000 | hamptonu.edu | 4.3 |
| Eastern Washington University | 526 5th St, Cheney, WA | (509) 359-6200 | ewu.edu | 4.2 |
| University of Montana | 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, Mt | (406) 243-0211 | umt.edu | 4 |
| Sacred Heart University Connecticut | 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT | (203) 371-7999 | sacredheart.edu | 4 |
| University of Vermont | 85 S Prospect St, Burlington, VT | (802) 656-3131 | uvm.edu | 4.3 |
Comparing Physical Therapist Assistant Programs
As mentioned before, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is the accrediting agency for schools offering physical therapy assistant programs. It is crucial that you attend an accredited physical therapist assistant school so that you can obtain your license to perform PTA work in all states.
We offer a complete database of accredited PTA programs that you can use to learn more about each of the accredited PTA programs available in your state. Keep in mind that only some of these programs offer online PTA courses, here is a list of physical therapist asst schools online.
Although researching physical therapy assistant schooling is the first step, once you have found a few schools of interest, speaking with advisers and students as well as visiting the programs is very valuable for making your final decision. You can learn a lot about the program to see if it will be the best one for you to meet your educational goals and individual student needs.
Factors to Consider for PTA Programs
There are a number of things to consider when comparing physical therapist assistant programs. Here is a list of some of the most important factors to keep in mind as you search for your PTA program:
- College size
- Pass rates of the licensure exam
- Classroom and lab facilities
- Curriculum and Program Structure
- School expenses and opportunities for financial aid
- Location and campus setting
- Faculty quality (cohesiveness, composition, and how long have they worked together?)
- Available extracurricular activities
- Student body demographics
- Distance from your home
- PTA program’s entering class
- Employability – rate of employment for graduates
- School admission requirements
- Opportunities for clinical education and training
As you take these factors into consideration, it can be helpful to survey current students as well as recent graduates of the programs of interest. Also, interviewing employers who have hired these graduates can give you more insight to each program’s strengths and weaknesses.
How Long is Physical Therapy Assistant School?
Most often, physical therapy assisting school consists of a 2-year associate’s degree program alongside 16 weeks of clinical training.
The length of time it takes you to complete the program will depend on whether you’ve earned an associate degree (for example, an AAS in PTA takes 2 years), or a bachelor’s degree (for example, a BA in biology or a BSc in physics takes 4 years). Alternatively, you can attend a PT Aide program and reach successful completion in 9-12 months without earning either associate or bachelor’s degrees.
The coursework and clinical training can all be completed in 2 years, making the graduate eligible to take the National Exam (NPTE) to obtain their PTA license to begin legally working in the profession.
Courses: 20 classes
Semesters: 4 – 5
Clinical Work: 16 weeks
Also, students can prepare for the National Exam during their final semester and take it upon completion so that they do not have to wait longer to obtain their PTA license.
How Long Are Online PTA Programs?
There are also online PTA Programs that offer an associate’s degree in physical therapy assisting. So, you may be wondering how long is a PTA program online?
Online PTA degree programs result in the same degree earned at a local campus and require the same amount of time, credits, courses, and clinical work.
However, you can generally take the coursework at whatever pace you desire and create your own study schedule to fit in with your work schedule and other time obligations.
How Much Do PTA Programs Cost?
Of course you would like to know the cost of physical therapy assisting school. Tuition and fees will vary regionally and also change depending on whether you are attending in-state vs out-of-state. Of course, private school will also be more expensive than public school
The 2008 Survey by the APTA shows mean annual tuition and fees of:
- Public In-State: $7,816
- Private: $26,493
In addition to tuition and fees, bear in mind the following school expenses you will likely incur:
- Monthly mortgage or rent payment
- Grocery bill
- Textbooks
- Other school supplies / lab equipment
- Clothes / Scrubs
- Gas or transportation costs
- School and other activity fees (sports games etc.)
Is PTA School Hard?
Many prospective students ask us, “How hard is PTA school?”
Generally speaking, PTA school is a good challenge but most students should be able to complete it. Students with an aptitude in the sciences and/or interest in the human body should excel in their physical therapy education program. However, anyone with a good work ethic and study habits will perform well.
Interviewing Tips: How to dress for medical interviews
During your education, you will begin interviewing for clinical positions and also for full-time work after graduation. It can be confusing knowing how to present yourself in medical interviews, but these tips will help.
- Don’t wear scrubs to your interviews
- Dress professionally in business casual/professional clothing (depending on the job position)
- Make sure your hygiene is proper and your hair is fixed. Also, double-check that buttons and zippers are all done properly
- Makeup and perfume are good but do not overdo them as you will likely be in a small room during the interview
- Professional shoes are important, for women, this can be short heels or flats and for men, this can be a black or brown leather dress shoe
- Both men and women should choose neutral color blouses and shirts
- A pants suit or professional skirt is suitable for women while a business suit is best for men. Some positions may only require slacks and a tie for a man but a suit is never going to be a bad choice.
Tips to make PTA school easier
Everyone approaches learning and studying differently. Below are some tips to help make PTA school easier.
- Don’t get behind on your reading assignments
- If the professor recommends a resource, always use it
- Participate as much as possible in class and group work
- Network and foster relationships with students, professors, and faculty
- Get help from career advisors when the time comes
- Make a daily schedule and try to stick to it
Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements
Learn the education and schooling requirements to become a PTA, such as the type of degree required, PTA program length, tuition and fees, time spent in a classroom vs a clinical, state license requirements, and some general course requirements.
| Program Length | Avg Tuition | Classroom % | Clinical % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years / 5 semesters | $7,816 | 75% | 25% |
Physical Therapy Assistant Education Requirements
As you plan out your education needed to become a physical therapist assistant it is important to be aware of the degree requirements. The good news for PTAs is that they don’t have to spend 4 years in college to obtain their degree. Instead, they must attend an accredited college and earn a Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate Degree which can be completed in 2 years or 5 semesters.
There are currently 378 physical therapy assistant programs nationwide that offer associate degrees. Most of these degree programs consist of general education courses, physical therapy courses, and clinical education.
Physical Therapy Assistant Schooling Requirements
It is a good idea to know generally which courses you will take to obtain your PTA degree.
Physical therapy assistant curriculum primarily consists of:
- anatomy & physiology
- biomechanics
- exercise physiology
- kinesiology
- clinical pathology
- neuroscience
- communication
- behavioral sciences
- ethics/values
Included in this curriculum, as is included with many other allied healthcare careers, are CPR and basic lifesaving first aid skills.
Approximately 75% of the physical therapy curriculum is taught in classroom and lab study and the remaining 25% consist of clinical education. On average, a PT student spends 16 weeks in a full-time clinical education experience.
Physical Therapist Aides vs Assistants
If you are interested in becoming an assistant but do not have the funds, time, or some other means to pursue the required education, then you should consider becoming a physical therapy aide. A PT aide is not required to complete an associate’s degree but will perform a very similar job function compared to a PT assistant.
Physical therapist aides work in the same environment as physical therapy assistants. Aides work under the supervision of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants while assisting the patients with their physical therapy exercises and treatments.
Aides should be physically fit, enough to be able to bend, kneel, and lift. Aides will also need to utilize strong communication and social skills while interacting with patients and other office staff. Additionally, good organizational skills for carrying our administrative office tasks are important.
Physical therapy aides are employed with a number of diverse tasks including aiding patients in movements, assisting them in and out of the therapy area of the clinic, and offering other patient aid. Aides also perform clerical work, monitor client progress, and set up equipment for therapy.
As you can see, physical therapy aides must have a unique combination of skills including physical strength to aid patients, as well as sensitivity to offer their assistance in a compassionate manner to clients.
Physical Therapy Aide Requirements
As I mentioned before, those not interested in obtaining a physical therapy assistant associate degree, can still meet the requirements to work as a PT Aide. There is not a required license or certification to become a physical therapy aide.
Aides do not have college degree requirements, although a high school diploma is typically a job requirement for this position. Volunteering to help the disabled in a clinic or hospital will surely improve your resume, enhance your skills, and ensure that you have a passion and interest in working in the physical therapy field for a long-term career.
The majority of PT clinics and offices that hire aides offer on the job training to make sure their aides qualify. Training for PT aides can last anywhere from 3 months to 1 year of working with experienced employees who will teach the trainee things like:
- Properly cleaning the therapy areas
- Keeping equipment organized
- Setting up and taking down of PT equipment
- Accessing, editing, and monitoring patient information
- Properly assisting patients in and out of therapy areas
- Performing clerical tasks properly
- Proper patient record keeping
Although not required, taking some physical therapy courses or physical fitness courses would be a great way to get an edge on your competitors applying for the same job as a physical therapy aide. In fact, there are physical therapy aide programs that you can attend, and successful completion of one of these programs would give you a certificate that would greatly increase your marketability for a career as an aide.
Planning for Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements
As you plan your career in physical therapy you have decisions to make regarding your education to make sure you complete the physical therapy assistant requirements. Alternatively, you can get started in your career as a PT aide and receive on the job training, without having to obtain an associate degree. Aides always have the option to go back to school to advance their careers and become a physical therapist assistant (PTA) or a physical therapist (PT).
So, research some of the available physical therapy assistant schools online and local PTA programs available. If you decide to bypass working as an Aide, to go for the required PTA associate degree, then keep in mind that with an online program you will still be required to complete the clinical portion of the degree offline, in a local PT clinic.
And of course, once you have met all of your PTA requirements, you can use our tools to search for the perfect PTA Jobs available in your area 🙂
Ready to Find a Local PTA Program?
Searching for “PTA programs near me”? To get started you can use our free PTA Program search by entering your zip code to see a list of programs offered in your local area. Or you can find accredited physical therapist assistant programs in your state searching our database. There are many community and technical colleges that offer all of the prerequisite courses and clinical experience required for your state licensure examination.
Can I Study Online?
Yes, there are physical therapist assistant programs taught online through distance learning. However, you’ll be required to complete your clinical training in person.
Footnote: For additional information on the accreditation process, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) has more information on accredited PTA programs.
